U.S. patent application number 09/002987 was filed with the patent office on 2002-08-08 for system for using a channel and event overlay for invoking channel and event related functions.
Invention is credited to WUGOFSKI, THEODORE D..
Application Number | 20020108110 09/002987 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 21703524 |
Filed Date | 2002-08-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020108110 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
WUGOFSKI, THEODORE D. |
August 8, 2002 |
SYSTEM FOR USING A CHANNEL AND EVENT OVERLAY FOR INVOKING CHANNEL
AND EVENT RELATED FUNCTIONS
Abstract
A convergence system suitable for accepting inputs from several
television or personal computing sources is disclosed. The sources
can be output on a display. The convergence system is controlled by
a multi-function controller suitable for providing a set of
function commands. A processor is coupled to the inputs, display
and operably coupled to the controller wherein the processor
responds to the function commands provided by the controller. The
processor also creates for output on the display a set of channel
banners. At least one of the channel banners provides information
on available processor functions and provides video feed-back when
the processor is responding to the function commands.
Inventors: |
WUGOFSKI, THEODORE D.; (FORT
WORTH, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SCHWEGMAN LUNDBERG
WOESSNER & KLUTH
P O BOX 2938
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402
|
Family ID: |
21703524 |
Appl. No.: |
09/002987 |
Filed: |
January 5, 1998 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
725/38 ;
348/E7.063; 725/39 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 7/165 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
725/38 ;
725/39 |
International
Class: |
G06F 003/00; H04N
005/445; G06F 013/00; H04N 009/74 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An information handling system, comprising: a graphical user
interface in an operating environment, the graphical user interface
configured to provide at least one display including information
related to at least one channel wherein the display includes a
prompt corresponding with at least one function related to the at
least one channel.
2. The information handling system of claim 1 wherein the display
includes a onscreen display that combines a graphic element with a
broadcast streaming video.
3. The information handling system of claim 2 wherein the banner
overlay includes a current banner and a browse banner.
4. The information handling system of claim 1, and further
comprising a tuner operably coupled to the graphical user
interface, wherein the tuner is tunable to a plurality of channels
including the at least one channel.
5. The information handling system of claim 4 wherein the plurality
of channels includes at least one event.
6. The information handling system of claim 1, and further
comprising a convergence system operably coupled thereto.
7. A medium having executable instructions stored thereon for
execution on a suitably equipped electronic system, the
instructions for causing the electronic system to perform a method,
the method comprising the steps of: generating a display, wherein
the display includes information related to at least one channel;
prompting, with the display, a function related to the at least one
channel.
8. The medium of claim 7 wherein the suitably equipped electronic
system includes a convergence system.
9. The medium of claim 7, wherein the step of generating a display
includes the step of generating a banner overlay.
10. The medium of claim 9, wherein the step of generating a banner
overlay includes the steps of generating a current event banner and
generating a browse banner.
11. The medium of claim 7 wherein the electronic system receives a
plurality of channels.
12. The medium of claim 11 wherein the plurality of channels
includes an event.
13. A system, comprising: means for generating a display, the
display including information related to at least one channel; and
means for providing at least one prompt in the display, the prompt
corresponding with at least one function related to the at least
one channel.
14. The system of claim 13, and further comprising means for
selecting the at least one channel from a plurality of available
channels wherein the available channels include events.
15. The system of claim 13, and further comprising means for
receiving the information related to the at least one channel.
16. The system of claim 13, and further comprising means for
performing the function related to the at least one channel.
17. A method for use with an information handling system, the
method comprising the steps of: generating a display including
information related to at least one channel wherein the display
includes at least one prompt; and receiving a command in response
to the prompt wherein the command corresponds with at least one
function related to the at least one channel.
18. The method of claim 17, and further comprising the steps of:
generating a video output; and selecting one of a current event
mode wherein the video output corresponds with the at least one
channel, and a browse mode wherein the video output does not
correspond with the at least one channel.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein the step of generating a display
includes the step of generating an overlay having a current event
banner and a browse banner.
20. The method of claim 18, and further comprising the step of
receiving a plurality of channels, wherein the plurality of
channels includes at least one event.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application relates to the co-pending, co-filed, and
co-assigned applications entitled "Multipurpose channel banner,"
"Controlling the layout of graphics in a television environment,"
"Displaying layered information using lenticular-like interfaces,"
and "Mutatably transparent controls," all of which are hereby
incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention relates to convergence systems.
Specifically, the present invention relates to the convergence
system itself and its associated software.
[0003] A convergence system refers to a system that includes
capabilities that are otherwise provided by separate systems. For
example, the Gateway Destination PC/TV system provides for both
computer and television capability. Multiple devices are and inputs
are brought together in one system which typically makes use of one
display. For example, at its most basic level, a user of a
convergence system may alternate between television programming and
a computer program on a particular video monitor. Typically,
however, a convergence system brings together several television
inputs such as radio-frequency, satellite, cable, or digital
television. In addition to running computer programs, a convergence
system may access a wide area network such as the Internet. The
convergence system may also bring together several consumer
electronic devices such as video cassette recorders, laser disc
players, video cameras, game modules, or the like. The user can
access these inputs and devices through a multi-function remote
control.
[0004] The multitude of television channels and other devices
accessible in a convergence system can be overwhelming. For
example, a user of such information can find it very difficult to
remember information about many channels and events. Additionally,
"surfing" through the channels and events can be both time
consuming and distracting.
[0005] One problem encountered by multiple parties using a
convergence system is that they each would like to watch a separate
program at the same time. Although it is known in the art to be
able to watch one channel while taping another channel for
time-delay viewing, this typically requires the system to be so
programmed in advance. If two parties are watching movie A, which
appeals more to one viewer than the other, and the less interested
viewer discovers that a more appealing program will be broadcast
soon on another channel, the parties have limited options in prior
art convergence systems. The parties can interrupt movie A while
surfing for another program, and if they decide to record this
other program to view later, they typically must interrupt movie A
in order to set up the recorder. However, this is a limited
solution at best, and poses an inconvenience to the viewer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention is directed to a convergence system
that allows a user to display information on other channels or
events without interrupting the present program and to program the
system with this display information.
[0007] One aspect of the present invention involves a convergence
system suitable for accepting inputs from several television or
personal computing sources. The sources can be output on a display.
The convergence system is controlled by a multi-function controller
suitable for providing a set of function commands. A processor is
coupled to the inputs, display and operably coupled to the
controller wherein the processor responds to the function commands
provided by the controller. The processor also creates a set of
channel banners for output on the display. At least one of the
channel banners provides information on available processor
functions and provides video feedback when the processor is
responding to the function commands.
[0008] Another aspect of the present invention is an information
handling system. The information handling system includes a
graphical user interface in an operating environment. The graphical
user interface is configured to provide at least one display which
includes information related to at least one channel. The display
includes a prompt corresponding with at least one function related
to the at least one channel. In another aspect of the present
invention, the information handling system is implemented through a
machine readable medium, such as a piece of software, or a
method.
[0009] The present invention includes many advantages. Among these
is the ability to program the system directly through the channel
banner. Thus, the channel banner becomes an interactive component
and saves the user steps when programming the device. Also among
the advantages includes the opportunity to "surf" the contents of
channels or events without having to interrupt the event being
watched, which is a great convenience when one viewer is
particularly interested in a program and another is not. This
feature provides for subsidiary benefits such as the ability to
record without interruption the event being watched while "surfing"
channel and event contents. In addition to the opportunity to
providing information on channels or events while watching another
channel, the present invention provides the opportunity to program
functions on the channels not being watched. Thus, the viewer of
one channel can program a recorder to record another channel or
event without interrupting the first channel, which is a great
convenience when a viewer or viewers are interested in two, or
more, overlapping events. Further, the channel banners provide more
than just information, the channel banners now provide the ability
to program the device. Prior art systems required the user to leave
the channel banner scheme to program the system, thus creating an
inconvenience.
[0010] The present invention describes convergence systems,
computers, computer-readable media and methods of varying scope.
Still other and further aspects, advantages and embodiments will be
described in the detailed description of the preferred embodiments
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of a system context suitable
for incorporating the teachings of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 1B is another schematic diagram of a system context
suitable for incorporating the teachings of the present
invention.
[0013] FIG. 2A is another schematic diagram of a system context
suitable for incorporating the teachings of the present
invention.
[0014] FIG. 2B is still another schematic diagram of a system
context suitable for incorporating the teachings of the present
invention.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a system embodying
features of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a screen generated by the
system shown in FIG. 2.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a method embodying features of
the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a screen generated by a system
of FIG. 3.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a method embodying features of
the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] In the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which
form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration
specific preferred embodiments in which the inventions may be
practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to
enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it
is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that
logical, mechanical and electrical changes may be made without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The
following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a
limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined
only by the appended claims.
[0021] FIG. 1A shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary system
context 10 suitable for incorporating the teachings of the present
invention. System 10 includes a digital processing system 12, which
can be in the form of a personal computer or other suitable
processing apparatus. In one embodiment, The digital processing
system 12 may be communicatively connected to a CD-ROM player or to
a wide area network such as the Internet. System 10 also includes a
plurality of source devices 13 such as a radio-frequency receiver
14, a satellite receiver 15, and a digital receiver 16, and
consumer electronic devices 17 such as a video cassette recorder,
digital video disc (digital versatile disc), laser disc, video
camera, or the like. The source devices 13 typically can be
configured to receive inputs as well as provide outputs. The above
described components can be collectively considered to be source
devices 13 in that they provide the channels or events to the
convergence system 10. Those skilled in the art know that a
convergence system can include additional or cumulative source
devices 13 or subsets or permutations thereof. Additionally, system
10 includes an audio-video output component 22 that may include a
monitor (display), speakers, and associated elements, and an input
component 24, that can take the form of the commonly referred to
"remote control," which may include a pointing device such as a
mouse, a keyboard, or the like, for inputting a plurality of
user-desired functions.
[0022] The system 10 can be suitably coupled together in a variety
of configurations. For example, FIG. 1A shows a system where the
processor 12 is a hub and all other elements, i.e. source devices
13 and output 22, are connected through the processor 12. The
source devices 13 are individually connected through the processor
12 and receive inputs from the processor 12 along a source device
control signal line 18, and provide inputs to the processor 12
along source input signal lines 19. All controls of the source
devices 13 are provided through the processor 12 also, and thus the
remote control 24 provides inputs to the processor 12, rather than
the source devices 13, as indicated along 23, which may be a
wireless or a physical connection. The output 22 is connected to
and controlled by the processor 12 along line 20.
[0023] FIG. 1B shows the components of system 10 coupled in an
arrangement similar to that shown in FIG. 1A. However, the remote
control 24 provides a signal 23 to the output 22 rather than the
processor 12. The output 22 is in two way communication with the
processor 12 along line 20 (not shown in FIG. 1B). Thus, the input
signals from the remote control 24 are provided to the processor 12
through the output 22.
[0024] FIG. 2A shows the components of the system 10 coupled in an
arrangement which differs from the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and
1B. However, like elements are referred to by like reference
numerals. In the connections shown in FIG. 2, the processor 12 is
not the hub of the system 10. Instead, the input device 24 directly
controls the source devices 21 and the output 22, as indicated in
connections 25 which may be physical or wireless. Further, the
source devices 13 are connected directly to the output 22, rather
than through the processor 12. Specifically, the source input
signals 18, connected to the processor 12 in FIG. 1, are now
directly connected to the output 22. In the embodiment shown in
FIG. 2, source device control signal lines 24 remain connected
between the processor 12 and the source devices 13. In each of the
described configurations, the electrical connections can be
physical or wireless.
[0025] FIG. 2B shows an alternate configuration to the system 10
shown in FIG. 2A. Specifically, the remote control 24 provides only
one signal 23, and this signal is directed to the processor 12,
which performs the functions on the system. Those skilled in the
art now know that alternative configurations are available. For
example, the processor 12 can act as a hub for some of the source
devices 13, whereas others can be directly controlled by the input
device 24 and directly provide input signals to the display 22.
Also, some source devices 13 can be directly connected to one of
the input device 24 or the display 22, but connected through the
processor 12 for the other of the input device 24 and the display
22. For example, the input device 24 can operate directly on the
processor 12, output 22, or the output 22 and source devices 13.
These connections are merely examples, and other connections are
included within the scope of the present invention.
[0026] The system 10 is coupled together to form what is known in
the art as a convergence environment such that system 10 provides
capabilities beyond ordinary personal computer or television
operation. For example, the Gateway Destination PC/TV system,
available from Gateway 2000, Inc., of North Sioux City, S. Dak.,
provides such a convergence environment. Embodiments of the present
invention are amendable to inclusion into a software architecture
of a computerized convergence system as described in co-filed
application entitled "Architecture for Convergence Systems," which
is hereby incorporated by reference. Briefly, the computerized
convergence system includes views, overlays and system services.
The views provide a graphical user interface which may be
associated with a particular application. An example of a view is a
full-screen television window in which a television program or the
like may be viewed. The overlays provide a partial graphical user
interface cooperating with and consistent over the views. An
example of an overlay is a channel banner which displays the
current channel and information on other channels. The system
services provide common functionality or user interfaces shared by
the views and overlays.
[0027] FIG. 3 shows a functional block diagram of the major
components of an embodiment of the present invention. System 30
includes four major components such as a user interface component
32, a television services component 34, an electronic program guide
(EPG) content services component 36, and function related services
component 38 connected to each other as shown. The television
services component 34 functions to select various source devices 13
for display and output on the monitor and speakers 22 and tunes to
channels on these devices. The function related services component
38 operates for purchasing pay events, watching events, recording
events, locking events, scheduling reminders, adding channels to
"favorite" lists, and other functions related to channels and
events.
[0028] The EPG content services component 36 functions to retrieve
a database 40 which includes events and channels from in-band
program guides or out-of-band program guides and loads electronic
program guide type data from data services. Such data services may
be communicated through a modem, over the Internet, over a
satellite, through a vertical blanking interval of a television
program, or the like. Database 40 also provides an application
programming interface for accessing the data and common user
interface for configuring loading functions. The EPG data services
may be used to determine what is programmed to be on television on
a channel at a given time, the EPG data services may then call
channel map services to determine the corresponding channel and
device, and then load relevant EPG if necessary before returning
the requested information to the application.
[0029] The user interface component 32 provides overlays that
display channel and event information as obtained from the EPG
content services component 36 via the monitor of the output
component in accordance with the video output from the television
services function 34. In one embodiment of the invention, an
overlay includes currently selected channel and event information.
additionally, a second overlay can be provided to include event
information for channels other than that which correspond with the
video. The second overlay can include information for a user
selected channel at a user-selected time. The second overlay can
provide feed-back for user-selected functions which permit the user
to access the function-related services component 38 with a remote
control 24. For example, the second overlay can be used to "surf"
for information on channels and events and to program a video
cassette recorder to record any selected channel, all without
interrupting the current event.
[0030] FIG. 4 shows a schematic example of a screen 50 as provided
by system 30 and output on a monitor of the output component 22.
Screen 50 includes a video 52 as provided from a source device 13,
or the like, through television services component 34. Also, screen
50 includes overlays in the form of a channel banner 54 and a
browse banner 56. The channel banner 54 includes a plurality of
fields such as date/time field 58, current event field 60, and
current channel field 61. The browse banner 56 includes browsing
channel field 62, browse event filed 64, browse start time field
66, favorite list field 68, rating field 70, and browse time field
72.
[0031] The channel banner 54 includes information regarding a
current event, i.e., the event which appears on the video at any
given time. Date/time field 58 includes such information as the
current date and time and is maintained continuously. Current event
field 60 includes such information as the name of the current
event. Current channel field 61 includes such information as the
channel name and number of the current event. The information
provided in the channel banner 54 changes with time and with the
current event such that it corresponds with the current date, time
and event that appears on video 52.
[0032] The browse banner 56 includes information regarding events
that correspond with a selected channel when the system is in a
browse mode. The user selects the browse mode with the remote
control and can access information regarding a given channel or
event through the browse banner 56 without interrupting the current
event. The browsing channel field 62 includes such information as
the selected channel number and logo. The browse event field
includes such information as the name of the event that corresponds
with the selected channel and time in browsing channel field 62.
The browse start time field 66 includes such information as the
start time of the browse event. The favorite list field 68 includes
such information as a currently active favorite list. The rating
field 70 includes such information as the parental rating and
content of the browse event. Finally, the browse time field 72
includes such information as the time remaining in the browse
event. The described fields are merely exemplary, and those skilled
in the art now know that other fields may be added or substituted
in the overlays 54, 56.
[0033] FIG. 5 another schematic example of screen 50 and an example
of the operation of system 30. In the example, a viewer has
selected favorite list field 68 with a pointing device in the
remote control 24. The selected field 68 includes several menu-type
items 69, including a list of the channels 69a which correspond
with the currently active favorite list, an edit list 69b which
enables a user to add or delete channels from the currently active
favorite list, a select list 69c which enables the user to change
the currently active favorite list to another active list, and a
new list 69d which enables the user to create a list in addition to
the existing active lists. Items 69a-d may include sub-items. For
example, the viewer can activate select list 69c and a sub-item
list 69e will appear indicating all of the active favorite lists.
From this group, the user can select one of the active lists with
the pointing device in the remote control 24 in a manner know to
those skilled in the art. Thus, through the use of the channel
banner, the user can quickly and easily program the functions of
the system.
[0034] Another example of the programming feature is shown in FIG.
6, which is still another example of the screen 50. In this
example, a user of the system has activated a rating control menu
76 for a particular viewer. The rating control menu 76 can be
activated by selecting the rating field 70 with a pointing device,
and the rating control menu 76 can initially correspond with the
viewer described in favorite list field 68. The rating control menu
76 permits a user to control on-screen the channels and events
accessed by a selected viewer, indicated in profile 76a. In the
example shown, the rating control menu 76 includes a current rating
threshold 76b. The current rating threshold 76b allows the user to
select the limits of predetermined content thresholds for the
viewer indicated in the profile 76a. For instance, the user may
select limits in terms of "ratings" assigned to programs (and
indicated in the rating field 70, shown in FIG. 4), in terms of the
program content, or both. Also, the user may limit the access of
the viewer indicated in the profile to specific times during the
day in the scheduled access field 76c. In order to make changes,
the user must input a preselected access code, shown schematically
at 76d. Thus, all the functions are all accessible through the
channel banner 54.
[0035] FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of the operation of system 30.
In order to perform functions on either the current event or on a
channel or event brought up on the browse banner, a mode is
selected 80. If the current event mode is selected, the following
steps are performed on the current event. On the other hand, if the
browse mode is selected, the following steps are performed on the
channel or event which corresponds with that supplied to the browse
banner.
[0036] The user selects a particular channel 82 with the remote
control, or the like, and the system obtains the channel from
television services and provides it to the user interface 84. The
user can select a channel either by its name or channel number. The
system then updates the user interface with basic information
regarding the selected channel 86 with data provided by the EPG
content services 88. Such basic information includes the name of
the event, the parental rating of the event, whether a web site,
close captioning, or alternate audio simulcast are available, etc.
The system then updates the user interface with functional
information regarding the selected channel 90 with data provided by
the function related services 92. Functional information can
include any pre-stored information regarding the selected channel,
time or event, etc. For example, functional information can include
an indication of whether the selected channel is parentally locked,
whether a favorite list is active, or whether the particular event
is being recorded. This information is provided to the user in the
form of an overlay 94. The system then prepares itself to accept
commands from the remote control and provide video feedback in the
form of overlays 96.
[0037] Additionally, the display and enable controls are provided
as overlays in order to prompt the user and provide video feedback
of the controls 98. For example, a web control is displayed and
enabled if there is an associated web site for the channel or event
102. Thus, the user of the system can easily access the web site.
Also, a closed captioning control is displayed and enabled if the
event is closed captioned 104. A lock channel is displayed and
enabled if a channel has not previously been locked or its access
otherwise prevented 106. An add favorite control is displayed to
permit the user to add a particular channel to the list of
favorites 108. If a channel or event is being recorded, a cancel
record control is enabled 109. Those skilled in the art can
recognize that this list is not meant to be exhaustive, and other
controls or functions may be added to or substituted with the ones
described.
[0038] Although the present invention has been described with
reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will
recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *